A Portrait of Henry

For my wife’s birthday, no I’m not announcing her age, I painted a portrait of our three year old English Springer Spaniel “Henry”. I had taken Henry into our yard for a photo shoot and promised him treats while I took dozens and dozens of photographs of him.

I choose the photograph I though would make the best looking painting and cropped it so that it would translate well into an 11″ x 14″ painting. Armed with my oil paints I completed this painting in one sitting. I don’t usually paint alla prima but for this painting I wanted to get a soft, loose look. I know my wife is fond of the impressionists so I was aiming to please!

My wife was super surprised and extremely happy with her painting. I had it framed in an elegant distressed-black frame and it now hangs in our living room.

It’s great to see. The way you handled the value changes in the whites plus the shadows. In addition ….the browns….Geez….just super….you really nailed it. I have trouble with white. Then the browns……that’s another obstacle I am trying to overcome. I am particularly appreciative of the awesome results & in admiration of your sweet painting of your Henry as I am primarily, a plein aire painter. As of yet…I have not attempted plein airing a live subject.